The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-27
FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE.
The Heroine of the Crimea Dying from the
Effects of Hospital Fever.

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE.
The Heroine of the Crimea Dying from the
Effects of Hospital Fever.
London Cable Special.
The world may soon hear of the death of that
great-hearted English heroine, Florence Night
ineaIe. Though mentally as brilliant she ever
was in her better days, she has never been phys
icaly sound since she was Frustrated by severe
fever in 1885, while nursing the Crlmea's
wounded soldiers in the hospitals the Bos-
phorus. For years she has maintained her cour-
age against great odds. bit the struggle near
ly over. Her long and benefcent life is drawing
to a close.
The Right Honorable Sir Harry verney. the
well-known nephew of Miss Nightingale, tells me
that his beloved and hopored relative is critical
~ i'll and has long been confined q prisoner in
her home at No. 10 South street. Park Lane
She is dying from the direct consequences of the
fever contracted in the Crimea. 1t is a general
failing of the system. a wasting away from the
effects of her perious labors during the days in
which she devoted her life to the soldiers wound
ed in battle.
And yet Miss Nightengale though very much
of sufferer at times, is remarkably patient
through it all. and gives the few friends who
allowed to see her example of Christian for
titude quite as remarkable as her courageous
charity and benevOlence in the past. Her home
in Park Lane is handsomely furnished. and con-
tans countless rare and valuable gifts presented
to her by her admirers after her return from the
Crimeau war. There are also innumerable let
ters from people of prominence the world over,
and various mementoes of her friendship with
the conspicuous characters in Europe and Amer
lea who have been proud of their acquaintance
with this remarkable woman. These testimo
malls of the reverence in which the whole lworld
holds her are very precious to the venerable
lady, but more for the sake of the givers than
from any feelings of pride She is modesty
itself.
Her intimate friendships have been illustrious.
Her natural hatred of wrong and tyranny led
Miss Nightingale to espouse the cause of right
and progress. During the civil war in America
her sympathies were warmly with the Northern
side IN the struggle. and in the long contest
which has been going on for the liberation of
Ireland, her active sympathies have gone ont to
the home rule cause. John Bright, Gladstone,
and all the Liberia leaders of England have long
been her ardent friends. She is great admirer
of America and its institutions, believing firmly
in the theory OF self government. For many
years she was on the closest terms of friendship
with Henry Ward Beecher and nothing for
long time so affected the venerable lady as the
news of his death. The character of Abraham
Lincoln she regards as one of the grandest in
history.
1t is but natural therefore. that tributes
to Florence Nightlngale's worth have been more
eloquent than those which have come from
America The late President Garfield said
in addressing class of young ladies: Emulate
the example of Florence Nightingale, that char
ity angel of modern times, whose fair and historic
name is enshrined in the hearts of all mankind,
for ages yet unborn will sing the glory OF her
proud renown." Equally eloquent have been
the praises of Abraham Lincoln. Henry Ward
Beecher. George D. Prentice, Mr. Talmage.
Helen Hunt Jackson, and scores of others
win ali ner klnODess OF neATt MISS NlRnL1n-
gale has always been independent in spirit and
trifie eccentric. perhaps, in her later years. A
we'll known Baltimore lady, whom l met lately
upon her return from extended trip over Eu-
rope, tells of an interview che enjoyed with
Miss Nightingale in her London home in the
spring Of 1882. During the delightful conversa-
ton she could fail to notice the singular shape
of that eminent ladys foot She had
never heard that Miss nightingale was lame
deformed in any way, out certainly something
was the matter Her curiosity prompted her TO
iDn, of nufn al hn mad fhof
Florence Nightingale. desrising the modern in
strument of torture vended by fashionable shoe.
makers. was accustomed to plant her stockinged
feet hrmly On piece OF leather draw the out
line OF the figure it formed and have her shoe
made to correspond exactly with it.
When this eminent lady passes from earth
England would not consent to her remains rest
ing anywhere but in the nations pantheon,
Westminster Abbey. Not only would England
demand this honor for the Crmea's heroine, bns
England's Queen. who has always treated her
with marked consideration and true friendship,
would order it done. And there is little doubt
that Miss Niehtineales learned friend Canon
Farrar would conduct the public services This
Is the only proper resting place for one who has
filled such a large place in the worshipful regard
of not only England out the world. The poor
and distressed thousands of this crowded city
will lose their truest friend and benefactor when
Florence Nightingale is dead.
Her life has been a wonderful chapter of self
sacrifice She was born in Florence Italy, May
3, 1920. and carefully educated by her father
William Nightingale, OF Lea Hurst, Derbyshire
England. For many patient years she trained
herself in the hospitals of England and Ger
many for the duties of attending on the sick
but it not till 1854 that the great mission of
her life appeared to open before her. The hos
pitfalls of the Crmea, to which Brtain's brave
men were removed from the battle fields, were
horribly managed. Something had to be DONE
and the courageous Florence Nightingale under
took the task With corps of trained women
she went boldly to the front, where her talent
and energy coon brought order out of chaos and
brought her the undying blessings of the sick
and wounded. and gained her fame that will
never grow dim.
With her usual benevolence she offered to
charity the magnificent fund of ESQ. 900 which
grateful England raised as reward for her
services. But she still has the gorgeous cross
set with diamonds which the Queen sent her,
and the bracelet with brilliants that was pre-
scented by the Sultan of Turkey For many
years her health has made it i'm possible for Miss
Nightingale to take an active part in deeds of
charity, but she has written much and taught
others how to carry out her benevolent plans
One of the most beautiful and touching things
in Miss Nightngale's busy life has been her III
timacy with Jenny Lind. Though beginning
their missions in widely different spheres. these
two great spirits have been drawn together oy
the loadstone of benevolence. and pursued their
charitable career hand in hand. It was nearly
the same time when Florence Nightingale
started TO nurse the wounded In the Crimean
war that Jenny Lind left to charm America
with her wonderful voice After years of un-
obtruslve charities, Jenny Lind, hopelessly par
alyzed, is awaiting the approach of DEATH while
her Industrious friend, the great exemplar of or
ganized public benevolence, Is sinking to her
last sleep. There is but one years difference in
their ages. and both will probably be consigned
to eternity together they have loved and
acted together in their beautiful and historic
lives.
Obituary.
TOPEKA. Kan. Oct. 26-Mrs. Emma Bloss,
wife of Hon. John NJ. Bloss. late of Muncie,
Ind. died last night at 10 o'clock OF typhoid
fever.